Denise Does Johnny

When things fall together,

it can be quite rewarding….. 

Johnny Depp - table for 4

At the end of a photo op, my clients and I decided to end the day with a coffee and refreshments.  A Restaurant environment puts me in closer proximities with waiters, waitresses and the general public.  I could not slip up and slide out of character, not even marginally.  What was amusing, (and I was told after the fact), the hostess, not at all promted by my photographer friend who was pointing at the 3 of us waiting to be seated, marked, ‘Johnny Depp’ and our table number  for 4 on an assigned table marker. Word must have spread becaue suddenly waitresses were flocking from all corners of the restaurant into our waiting area pretending they needed to be there.  Once seated, not just one, but two waiters and a waitress came to our table for service all in a span of seconds.  Service was impeccable and yet privacy was given. Upon our departure, the two young exchange students who wanted a photo opportunity with Johnny Depp, followed behind me at a slower pace, wanting to see the reactiona of people’s faces as I walked past their table.  Many looked down at their plates as I approachedm,, but once past, it took everything in the two girls not to react after seeing the commotion, shock, confusion, and astounding expressions on everyones faces.

After my latest appearance as Johnny Depp,… ‘Stopping violence against women fundraiser’, at the Empress Fairmont Hotel Willowtree Spa, the evening ended on a spectacular note.  As I left the Hotel, I spotted 7 tall burly looking guys, ages running anywhere from 49 – 58 along with a concierge just outside the front entrance.  Putting on my best Johnny strut, poised and completely minding my own business, I walked past the group of men.  As I passed, one of them asked loudly, “Hey is that Johnny Depp?”,… another, “Yep that’s him alright!” and yet another, “What the heck is he doing here on the island?”.  Normally in a situation like this, I let the ‘cat out of the bag’, turn on my heels and let the spectators know I am an impersonator,.. but this go round I decided to let them continue with their speculations.

Johnny Depp appearance for…

Stopping Violence Against Women, Fundraiser May 4, 2011.

I was honoured with a request to attend as Johnny Depp at a successful fundraiser May 4th, 2011 for stopping violence against women:  Shhh! Campaign, speaker and part organizer, Christy Smith.  It was a sold out function, but what was more astounding was to learn that 1 in 4 women still do not speak out.

Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Hotel

 As a celebrity look-alike emulating a well known and repected icon, it isn’t just about entertaining the public,… it has become much deeper than that.  My portrayal has brought me to fundraiser events such as BC Children’s Hospital, Cancer awareness, violence againt women, just to name a few,… that possibly I would not have been aware under any other circumstances.  These functions continually bring me to reality.  We are all ‘aware’ of the set backs many people experience in life,… but it isn’t until you are in a room with people who are or have had first hand experience with trauma in their personal life,…. that it actually becomes real.  The pain and suffering, the loss of loved ones, or leaving loved one’s behind, the taking care of a an ill or handicapped child, or having had your self worht and identy stole by another individual through abuse or violence.  All these are serious issues that need your help and continued support.

As a wife and mother, it is all to easy to go about the everyday in our own secure world, like many of us do, and focus on our present needs and “to do lists” and not always being in tune with the things that are not often talked about.  I am happy that I have had the chance to meet many of these people and would like to bring forward to everyone the awareness of the trauma some families and/or individuals have experienced or are presently experiencing and to ask all, to continue helping in any way you can, whether it is by donation, your time or even in a prayer.  Be the voice for these people.

NOTE:  T-shirts worn in above photo were custom made and specifially designed for this cause to continue awareness.

Photo Credit: Victoria Pearson

Now,… keep in mind that I live in the #2 spot in Canada where celebrities vacation to get away from their hectic lives. One main reason is for the privacy. Islanders don’t usually approach celebrities in a public place such as restaurants or other gathering type places in fear of invading their privacy or more likely feeling like an idiot that it may not be who they think it is. If there is going to be a tough audience for me to test my skills as a JDepp look-alike,…. this is it.

Having been honoured with an invite to be one of this year’s celebrity judges for the “Festival of Trees” as Capt. Jack, (a fund-raiser for Sick Children’s Hospital) there was nothing new in the way of delightful reactions. Media, photo ops, gifts, (which I donated back to the fund-raiser),.. It was incredible. The spirit, the hype, the Xmas buzz the flood of donations and the funds raised,.. truly impeccable.

Once the event was over,…I did a quick change into JDepp and then left to the planned gathering at Vista 18 where a Gypsy Jazz group, COLD CUT COMBO, ( www.coldcutcombo.com ), now known as the Chris Sartisohn Trio – entertained and played such scores JDepp played in the film “Chocolat”. Chris, the lead guitarist, who met JDepp in LA of 2006, is a huge fan of his. Upon my arrival, I managed to fool those in my vicinity including Chris. Once Chris knew who I was, he told me afterwards that the first thing that popped into his mind was: “Is Johnny now gracing me with a visit here on the Island?”

Sitting at the bar with my husband who enacted as my bodyguard, the waiter asked us “two gentlemen” for our order. Mixed emotions began to stir as I suddenly felt as though I was indeed playing a huge joke on the public, or was the joke on me?  In true fact I was entertaining honest work and a test to see if I should continue to enact as JDepp in futre. Yes I got a lot of glances and confused looks thrown my way,… but not once did anyone approach me like they do with my portrayal of Jack. Carefully, yet intently, I scanned the room, but much to my chagrin, I was having much difficulty translating the confused yet curious expressions of those sitting around me. However, once photos were being proposed with the band, some began to stir and question the situation. But in typical ‘Islander’ fashion,… no one bothered us to ask for the specifics.

Slightly disappointed, we left Vista 18, and my husband suggested we should have one more go at it at a frequented local pub, the Waterwheel. Upon our arrival at this pub, my husband, (bodyguard) scouted the pub to see if there was available seating and worth our while. We had no idea that the ‘scouting’ was setting ourselves up for the grand entrance. The pub was busy and hoping, with those ranging between the ages of 25 – 50. As I entered, a bizarre silence blanketed over the other wise loud music. The quick ‘bashful’ glances thrown my way were quit amusing yet rewarding. Many would sneak a look, but as soon as I glanced their direction, they would quickly go about their business. Focussing on my ‘manly-deppish’ strut, we seated ourselves at the only table available. Feeling all eyes were on me,…this was a ‘make or break’ situation, in which I now had to fiercely concentrate on diminishing any feminine mannerisms.

My peripheral vision caught movement up above me where there was a central balcony.  A young man was questioning my attendance, causing 2, then 3 – 6 others to trip over themselves to have a a quick look at what was causing the commotion. Again,… looking their direction made them scurry away from the railing and back to their table of merry!  I smiled and was beginning to get some satisfaction. My husband spotted a young girl sneaking a photo from the top of the stairs, and quickly ran once the shot was taken.  I noted that the bartenders behind the bar were not concentrating to their orders and the one waitress who KNEW us, (but didn’t recognize me), who took our order, was very much prim and proper instead of her usual coy and boisterous self.  Even though it would have been wonderful for an approach or a question from someone in the pub, I was relatively satisfied with the blatant reactions during my time of stay.  I could not read exactly what people were thinking and the body language, by all, was by no means readable, but I was certain I managed to place at least the ‘doubt factor’ in many minds.  Convinced that nothing else would happen, we finished our drinks and as we were about to leave, a woman finally approached our table to ask me: “Excuse me,… I am so sorry to bother you,… I realize you are an entertainer and an actor, but we are all dying to know what is going on?” That was all I needed. I smiled and pulled the bashful woman towards me and told her I was a female JDepp Look-alike/impersonator. That did it right there!!! She was literally in shock. I don’t know who was more floored,… her or me.  She scurried back to her table of friends and told them who I really was.  I could hear the excitement level and the chitter, chatter of, “no way that is impossible!”  I approached their table, and they were the most gracious bunch of women I have met.  Being approved, the one woman turned to me to say:  “you are truly brilliant, … not only do you look like Johnny Depp and had us ALL fooled,.. but to be so incredibly brave to enter a bar as a woman dressed as a man,.. that is the most amazing part!”

In the meantime the ‘prim and proper behaved’ waitress who had served us earlier that evening, graced us with her presence at our table and told my husband,…“You have NO IDEA what a stir and ruckus you two have just created here tonight,.. EVERYONE has been stumbling over themselves to see if anyone knew what the heck was going on,…”  This was all I needed, to convince me to continue perfecting the JD look.  As we left, and for those sitting farthest away from us and had yet to discover I was indeed an imposter, a few came out of their shells and yelled,.. “See ya Johnny!” causing two girls, sitting by the entrance/exit who obviously had not seen me,.. drop their jaw as I walked out. The expressions on their faces were PRICELESS.

The following day, stories were revealed when we dined for lunch at the same pub. Apparently many were convinced I was the real JDepp,… others thought I was just a JDepp Look-alike double in town for an event or film,… then there were those who had no clue who JDepp really is and a handful thought I was undercover of some sort,..

“…..because in the minds of us Islanders, there is NO WAY that the real Johnny Depp or any famous icon, would visit this island”.

Chris decided to post this photo from ‘Vista 18’ on his personal account.  Here are some of the comments his friends left behind:

Photo credit: Que Bahn, The Photgraphy Elf

~ ‘My daughter is uber jealous!!’

~ ‘Nice!’

~ ‘The world’s sexiest man!’

~ ‘That is such a nice photo.  You and Johnny Depp both into the groove like that,.. What songs did you play together?’

~ ‘Okay that rules,… how’s the deppster on the ole guitbox??  He seems mezmorized!’

~ ‘Johnny Depp well ain’t that something!’

~ ‘So cool, what was he doing in Vic?’

~ ‘Very cool Chris!  Was this an impromtu Cold Cut Combo guest appearance?’

~ ‘Is he as awesome as I think he is??’

Festival of Trees 2009

Festival of Trees 2009 Fundraiser for B.C. Children’s Hospital.

Every year, the Festival of Trees transforms ‘The Fairmont Empress Hotel’ into a lush forest of beautiful decorated trees to raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital.  As sponsors of this event, local businesses, organizations and individuals decorate the trees in a sometimes wacky, often irreverent, and always beautiful fashion, the trees are displayed throughout The Fairmont Empress over the holiday season, beginning November 19, (this year of 2009) with the kick-off decorating gala through to January 4, 2010.

Kimberly, President of the BC Children's Hospital Foundation, and myself as judges.

When some contestants found out 'Capt. Jack' was one of the judges, I was given many gifts, one being a ginger bread cookie shown above. I donated all gifts back to BC Children's Hospital Foundation.

The Festival of Trees is open to the public who are encouraged to cast a ballot for their favourite tree.  Thousands of Festival visitors cast a vote each year, with each vote, they are entered into a draw for the People’s Choice Award Citizen Prize. Last year the event received over 8,000 votes.

Now in its 18th year, the Festival has grown to feature up to 75 trees.  It has become a treasured family tradition, community favourite and one of the most anticipated festivals in Victoria.

Last year this event raised a record $105,327.00 to support the urgent needs of BC Children’s Hospital.  Along with 4 radio and 2 TV media personnel, the Mayor and a member of our local Newspaper, I was honoured this year with an invite to be one of the celebrity Judges as Capt. Jack, and asked to come back next year.  Not only was this a spirited and heartfelt event full of enthusiasm,… the generosity was truly astounding.  I was thrilled to be welcomed on board and be a part of this brilliant Xmas Festival event!